Ireland Travel Tips and Information

Tips for Travelers

In addition to securing your car rental in Ireland, Auto Europe provides tips for travelers to ensure a smooth international trip. By informing travelers on customs, local currency, and best practices for tipping, travelers feel more comfortable and prepared for each advenure they take abroad.

Customs

Travelers are not taxed when transporting a reasonable number of items for personal use into the United States. However, no more than one liter of alcohol or two liters of wine are permitted at a time. Rules for tobacco are as follows: no more than 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco per consumer.

Banking and Currency

Banks typically offer the best exchange rates and are available from 10am to 3pm during the week. Some locations will close from 12:30 to 1:30pm, with extended hours in Dublin on Thursdays. As these hours tend to vary from city to city, you may also exchange funds at the Bureaux de change or within the assorted post offices and ATMS found amongst the more urban areas.

Tipping

Service charges of 10-15% are applied directly to your bill in many restaurants and hotels; however, a flat 10% is permissible when this amount has not been added. It is not necessary to tip in a pub. Taxi drivers, on the other hand, earn a 10% gratuity, while porters and washroom attendants shoot for around €.50 per service.

Business Hours

Museums are usually open 10am-5pm on weekdays, 10am-1pm on Saturdays, and 2pm-5pm on Sundays. Post offices, on the other hand, are available 9am (9:30am Wednesdays) to 5:30pm during the week and 9am to noon on Saturdays. Restaurants serve breakfast from 8am to 10am, lunch from noon or 12:30 to 2pm, and dinner between 7 and 9:30pm. High tea, however, is promptly served at 5pm at most conventional bed and breakfast locations, followed by a bedtime snack. Shopping malls typically operate from 9am to 5:30pm, Monday through Saturday. Some stores offer longer hours, but most are closed on Sundays.

Local Tax

Value added tax in Ireland is currently 13.5%.

Travel Information

Entry Requirements

US citizens are not required to purchase a visa when entering Ireland for visits spanning less than three months. Domesticated pets are also welcome in Ireland, but must be quarantined for a period of six months prior to their entry date.

Time Difference

Ireland observes Western European Standard Time, which runs five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States and Canada.

Language

Although Ireland is officially bilingual, English is spoken more than traditional Gaelic. Visitors will be able to hear several distinct Gaelic dialects during their travels and no matter where you venture, there's a good possibility that light hearted conversation will be created!

Electricity

Ireland uses the 220 V plug with three flat pins. However, some older establishments may still use the two-round-pin plug.

Looking for answers to additional questions you have about traveling to Ireland? Check out Auto Europe's Ireland FAQ page for answers to car rental and general travel questions we hear from out customers.

Embassies

Weather

Are you trying to decide when is the best time to visit Ireland? Ireland's mild climate is rarely described at too hot or too cold any day of the year. Ireland is green all year and sees plenty of rainfall. With temperatures getting close to freezing in the winter months, tourism usually peaks in the spring and summer months. Each season provides ample opportunity to explore this beautiful island, when you choose to explore is up to you!

Spring

Summer

Summer temperatures are quite comfortable and usually range from 50-66 F and 10-18 C. The surrounding ocean keeps temperatures from getting oppressively hot, so travelers are able to experience optimal conditions and pleasantly warm temperatures.

Autumn

Average autumn temperatures dip to a mild 43-54 F and 6-15 C. Impending rainfall persists throughout the changing seasons.

Winter

Irish winters can be harsh, yet snow is rare and temperatures do not usually plunge below freezing. Average temperatures are 34-47 F and 2-8 C.